Darden Bringing Seasons 52 Restaurant to Westfield UTC

Florida-based Darden Restaurants Inc. plans to open its first local location of Seasons 52, an upscale fresh-grill and wine bar restaurant, in spring 2013 at Westfield UTC in San Diego.

A recent statement from the restaurant company said the eatery will employ approximately 100.

The restaurant features “seasonally inspired” meat and seafood dishes, with menus changing four times a year. Nothing on the menu has more than 475 calories, the statement said.

The UTC location will have a custom-built wine cellar and a piano bar with live music nightly. There will be two private dining rooms and an exclusive Chef’s Table.

Seasons 52 debuted in 2010 in Costa Mesa, and there are now 22 locations in 13 states. Darden owns several national restaurant brands with San Diego County locations, including Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Eddie V’s.

Westfield UTC, located off La Jolla Village Drive and owned by Australia’s Westfield Group, is in the midst of a $180 million renovation, scheduled for completion in 2013. The project is bringing several new merchants, a 14-screen luxury movie theater and extensive changes to the open-air center’s appearance and configuration.